When a home insurance claim happens, the process can feel overwhelming fast, and the first steps you take can affect your settlement, timeline, and stress level.

In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty is joined by Chris Mooney of Waypoint Adjusting to explain what a public adjuster is, how a public adjuster differs from the insurance company’s adjuster, and why homeowners hire one to help with property damage claims. They cover what the claims process looks like from start to finish, the most common types of homeowners insurance claims (fire, wildfire, smoke damage, water damage, and more), and the mistakes homeowners make early on that can accidentally hurt a claim.

You will also learn what “covered” really means, what to watch for in your homeowners policy, where claims delays usually happen, and what to consider before accepting a quick settlement. If you have ever wondered whether to bring in a public adjuster on day one, after a denial, or somewhere in the middle, this conversation breaks it down in plain English.

Keywords: public adjuster, homeowners insurance claim help, insurance claim settlement, fire claim, wildfire claim, smoke damage claim, water damage claim, denied insurance claim, California homeowners insurance, FAIR Plan, property damage claim, Waypoint Adjusting, Kern County Real Estate Review.

New year, new rules — and in California, those rules can change real estate fast. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty breaks down the most important new California housing and real estate laws taking effect in 2026 and what they mean in real life for homeowners, renters, landlords, investors, and real estate professionals.

From tenant and landlord updates that affect everyday rental situations, to ADU and SB 9 changes that can impact equity and income strategy, to permitting “shot-clock” reforms meant to reduce approval delays — this is the 2026 legal update listeners will want before making a move this year. Laurie also covers the big-picture housing policies shaping supply, density, and approvals across the state, plus a key transparency update for listings involving digitally altered or AI-modified photos.

If you live in Bakersfield, Kern County, or anywhere in California and you plan to buy, sell, rent, invest, or build in 2026, this episode will help you understand what changed, why it matters, and what to watch next.

Search keywords: California housing laws 2026, landlord tenant laws California 2026, ADU laws 2026, SB 9 California, permitting reform California, CEQA streamlining, real estate photo disclosure law, Kern County real estate.

2026 is not shaping up to be a “crash year.” It’s shaping up to be a clarity year.

In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty shares her annual predictions for what buyers and sellers should really expect in the year ahead—joined by local mortgage lender Christy White to bring the lending perspective into the conversation.

Before the forecasts, Laurie also breaks down a headline that sounds almost too good to be true: Martha Stewart launching prefab home designs with price tags starting around $150,000—and what that number doesn’t include.

In this episode, we break down:• Why more people may finally stop waiting for the “perfect time”• What will separate the homes that sell smoothly from the ones that sit• The pricing and presentation mistakes that matter more in a selective market• What affordability could look like in 2026—and what might actually move the needle• The key lending factors that buyers will feel most this year

If you’re planning a move in 2026 (or trying to understand what the next year may really look like in Kern County), this episode brings the kind of practical clarity you won’t get from national headlines.

First-time home buyers are not who they used to be. And the housing market has not fully caught up.

In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, we take a closer look at what today’s first-time buyers actually want and why so many builders are still delivering housing products that miss the mark.

First-time buyers now make up a smaller share of the market, they are older than ever, and many are buying on their own or without children at home. Their priorities have shifted toward affordability, flexibility, energy efficiency, and lower monthly costs. Yet much of the new construction hitting the market still reflects a buyer profile from a decade ago.

We break down:
• How the first-time buyer demographic has changed
• Why traditional “starter homes” no longer fit many buyers’ lifestyles
• The disconnect between affordability challenges and what builders are producing
• What buyers are actually prioritizing today
• How this trend impacts Bakersfield and Kern County specifically

This episode is a must-listen for first-time buyers, homeowners, builders, investors, and anyone trying to understand where the housing market is headed next.

Whether you are thinking about buying your first home, watching new construction trends, or just trying to make sense of today’s market, this conversation offers insight you will not hear in the headlines.

Who’s actually buying homes today? Who’s selling — and why? And how different does today’s housing market look compared to just a few years ago?

In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty breaks down the newly released national data on today’s home buyers and sellers and explains what it reveals about changing demographics, affordability challenges, moving patterns, and buyer priorities. From surprising age trends to how people are financing their homes, Laurie walks listeners through what’s really happening behind the headlines — and what it means for homeowners, buyers, sellers, and anyone watching the market.

Whether you’re thinking about making a move, planning to sell in the future, or simply want to better understand where the housing market is headed, this episode offers clear, practical insight you can actually use.

Discover the best holiday events in Kern County with our annual Christmas in Kern County special. This episode is one of the most listened to every year because it offers a complete, easy-to-follow guide to Christmas events, holiday activities, and family-friendly things to do throughout Bakersfield and the surrounding communities.

Laurie McCarty breaks down the top Christmas parades, local holiday markets, charity events, ice skating, concerts, Christmas light attractions, and must-see seasonal experiences happening across Kern County. If you’ve been searching for Bakersfield Christmas events, Kern County holiday activities, or the best things to do this December, this episode has it all.

Whether you’re planning holiday outings, looking for unique shopping events, wanting to support local charities, or hoping to find the best Christmas lights in Bakersfield, this guide will help you map out your entire season.

Tune in for the ultimate Christmas and holiday event roundup for Kern County and make this December unforgettable.

The housing market is shifting, and in this show we are unpacking two major proposals that could reshape affordability: 50-year mortgages and portable mortgages. Laurie sits down with local mortgage broker, Tisha Borda, to explain what these ideas could mean for buyers, sellers, and Kern County. We also cover the latest market trends, a new Zillow lawsuit, and this week’s standout Home of the Week.

Laurie McCarty sits down with DwellSafe’s Janet Engel, an occupational therapist and aging in place specialist, to explore what it really takes to make a home safer, more comfortable, and better suited for long-term living. From home safety assessments to fall prevention strategies and simple senior home modifications, Janet shares practical insights that help homeowners stay independent longer.

Laurie also breaks down the recent spike in “help with mortgage” searches, what the data truly means, and how today’s housing landscape compares to the Great Recession, offering a clear and steady look at the real estate market.

Topics: aging in place, home safety assessment, senior home modifications, DwellSafe, occupational therapy, fall prevention, independent living, home accessibility, real estate market update.

End-of-year escrows can get complicated — especially once the holiday closures begin.
In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie sits down with returning guest Cecile Shanklin of Ticor Title to break down exactly how the holiday season affects escrow timelines — from recorder’s office closures and shortened work weeks to bank delays, year-end tax pushes, and those last-minute surprises that can throw a closing off track. Whether you’re a buyer, seller, or agent, Cecile shares what you should be planning for right now to avoid delays and keep your transaction on schedule.

This week’s news segment dives into a major industry headline: Zillow’s new ChatGPT app and why it’s raising questions across the real estate world about data control, IDX rules, and the future of AI-driven home search.

And to wrap up, Laurie shares an Equity Boosting Tip focused on creating an entertainer’s kitchen before the holidays — with simple, affordable upgrades that add comfort now and value later.

Tune in for expert insight, practical guidance, and everything you need to navigate the year-end real estate season with confidence.

How is the government shutdown affecting the real estate market? More than most people realize. In this episode, Laurie McCarty breaks down how the shutdown is beginning to influence mortgage approvals, FHA and USDA loan processing, buyer confidence, and local housing activity in Kern County.

Whether you are buying, selling, or just trying to understand how national events reach our local economy, this episode explains what is happening and what to watch in the weeks ahead.

Laurie also shares the latest updates on Bakersfield’s sewer rate proposals and a new Equity Boosting Tip focused on making your home more turn-key.

Great for listeners searching for Kern County real estate insights, mortgage information, or government shutdown effects.